The Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Shipping has issued on 27 August 2025 new Circular 22/2025 in relation to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, STCW 78, as amended and in particular with respect to the Issuance of Seafarer’s Endorsements Attesting the Recognition of Non-Cyprus Certificates.
In this respect, the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Shipping has notified interested parties that the countries whose certificates of competency are presently recognised by the Republic of Cyprus are the ones listed below:
| Algeria | Argentina | Australia |
| Ecuador | Egypt | Estonia |
| Iran | Ireland | Israel |
| New Zealand | Nigeria* | Norway |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | South Africa |
| Bangladesh | Belgium | Brazil |
| Bulgaria | Canada | Cape Verde |
| Chile | China | Croatia |
| Cuba | Czech Republic | Denmark |
| Ethiopia | Finland | France |
| Georgia | Germany | Ghana |
| Greece | Italy | Jamaica |
| Japan | Jordan | Latvia |
| Lithuania | Malaysia | Hong Kong |
| Malta | Hungary | Iceland |
| India | Indonesia | Mexico |
| Morocco | Myanmar | Netherlands |
| Oman | Pakistan | Peru |
| Philippines | Poland | Portugal |
| Republic of Korea | Republic of Montenegro | Republic of Serbia |
| Romania | Russian Federation | Singapore |
| Spain | Sri Lanka | Sweden |
| Tanzania* | Turkey | Ukraine |
| United Kingdom | United States | Uruguay |
| Vietnam |
* Countries which are being assessed by the European Commission
For more information, please contact
Costas Stamatiou, Partner & Vassilis Psyrras, Advocate/ Counsel
Elias Neocleous & Co LLC









